News, South West
Scott ArmstrongTwo people who died while skydiving in Devon have been named by police.
Belinda Taylor, 48, from Totnes, and Adam Harrison, 30, from Bournemouth, died in the accident at Dunkeswell Aerodrome at about 13:00 BST on Friday, Devon and Cornwall Police said.
The force said the skydivers died at the scene and their families had been informed.
It said inquiries were ongoing by police, British Skydiving and East Devon District Council Environmental Health and Safety Office.
British Skydiving said on Saturday it had been “notified of a tragic accident in which two jumpers lost their lives”.
“Our deepest condolences go to their families, friends and the entire skydiving community,” it said.
The Civil Aviation Authority said it was aware of the incident but could not comment any further due to it being an active investigation.
The Dunkeswell Aerodrome is a former RAF site located in the Blackdown Hills area of Devon, close to the county’s border with Somerset.
According to the aerodrome’s website, the site was originally built to be an American naval base during World War Two.
It is also claimed to be the highest licensed airfield in the UK at 839ft (256m) above sea level.
Along with skydiving, other activities on offer include Spitfire flight tours, wing-walking and flight training for aircraft.
